Panasonic VariCam 4K raw MXF to FCPX tutorial-only 3 Steps

Having been in prototype stage for some time, Panasonic will debut a production model of the 4K VariCam 35. The VariCam 35 shoots 4K raw and variable frame rates up to 120 frames per second. FCP X can deal with 4K content (even 4K HFR up to 60P) only when your computer is not doing the heay lifting. So it’s impossible to successfully merge/edit VariCam 4K raw 120fps in FCPX. An option is to convert VariCam 4K raw to ProRes 422. What are the pros and cons?

As we know, Apple ProRes is the most compatible video codec with FCP. However, the limit is nearly all 4K to ProRes conversion will turn 4K to HD. So here comes Aunsoft iMedia Converter for Mac. Though now it cannot provide up-conversion and turns HD video into 4K, the iMedia is the fastest and most intuitive Panasonic 4K raw to FCP X Converter. With this program, you cannot only down-convert VariCam 4K raw to 1080P ProRes 422, but also preserve 4K resolution as original.

Is it possible to deliver VariCam 4K raw to ProRes with 120 fps kept? The answer is no. iMedia Converter for Mac is the only converter that allows user freely set frame rate as 23.976, 24, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, or 60. 60fps is the highest frame rate that FCP X can handle while 29.97fps(30p) is most appropriate.

Click "Settings" on the main interface, you can choose video size as 1080x1920p. If you want 4k output, you can set video size as original. Here you will see some parameters of your output file including video bitrates, frame rates, audio bitrates and so on. You can adjust them as you like.

Tip: For 1080/60p recordings, 1920*1080 as video size, 30fps as video bitrates and pcm-s16le as audio codec are the most suitable settings. If you are in PAL (50p) area, you are recommended 25fps as video bitrates.